Staphylococcus in the ears can cause many diseases associated with the development of inflammation. When infected with staphylococcus in the auricles, unpleasant symptoms occur, purulent discharge often appears. At the first signs, you must immediately consult a doctor in order to eliminate the spread of the disease to neighboring tissues and remove the negative consequences. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary therapy. We will talk about the symptoms and treatment of staphylococcus in the ears in this article.
About the disease
Staphylococci are round-shaped bacteria that are located in the ears and mucous membranes. With weak immunity, they can cause many diseases and inflammations. The bacterium enters the body in different ways, the most common are dirty hands. Lack of vitamins in the body and weakened immune forces can provoke diseases associated with staphylococcus.
Staphylococcal infection has about three dozen strains that differ in their effect on humans. Some of them are not able to do harm, but most cause serious diseases with inflammation and purulent discharge.
The most common is Staphylococcus aureus. It can affect any organ, including the ear. Therefore, this type of bacterium is considered the most dangerous.
Often, Staphylococcus aureus in the ear causes otitis externa, the treatment of which should be timely, until the infection has spread to other organs and tissues. Also staphylococcus can cause the development of an auricle boil or erysipelas. Over time, the tissues affected by the infection begin to fester and become covered with erosion, if treatment is not started during this period, a necrotic process may develop.
Sustainability
Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in the ear complicates its resistance to active substances and drugs. The infection retains its activity in at high temperatures, is not afraid of direct sunlight and dehydration. The bacterium is resistant to ethyl alcohol and is able to metabolize and process hydrogen peroxide using the enzyme catalase.
In addition, staphylococcus is able to penetrate through the skin into blood vessels, using a special enzyme - coagulase, and to clot blood. This threatens with sepsis and the movement of infection throughout the body. When it enters the lungs through the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, the bacterium can cause intractable pneumonia.
Staphylococcus dies when boiled. And, despite its resistance to certain types of antibiotics, it is afraid of aniline dyes. Therefore, treating the wound with brilliant green, you can get a fairly reliable barrier to the penetration of staphylococcus.
Symptoms of staphylococcus in the ears
In the presence of bacteria in the auricle, these signs are the main argument for going to the doctor:
- swelling;
- feeling of stuffy ear;
- weak noise in the head;
- itching and pain are felt in the ear canal;
- the formation of crusts and adhesions;
- greenish mucus appears in the ear, an unpleasant odor;
- pus;
- epidermal damage;
- weakness, fever;
- the affected area acquires a golden hue.
In order to avoid complications such as pneumonia, mastoiditis, meningitis, hearing loss, blood poisoning by infection, it is necessary to consult a specialist for treatment as soon as possible.
How is transmitted
It is possible to determine the presence of staphylococcus in the ears by taking a sample for back sowing or by signs that have already developed. But treatment involves not only efforts to destroy the bacterium, but also to determine the causes of infection.
Staphylococcus aureus in the ears in adults and children appears as follows:
- Contact household way. Infection occurs through tactile contact with the carrier of the disease, as well as with his personal belongings - this is the most common way of infection. If a person uses a towel of a patient with erysipelatous skin inflammation, then with a high probability he will soon also encounter such a problem.
- Airborne droplet. Infection occurs through sneezing or coughing an infected person.
- Alimentary way. It implies the entry into the body of an infection through the organs entering the digestive system, the selection of bacteria also occurs through the intestines.
- Dust. It includes particles of epithelium, dirt and germs that can remain viable for a long time in such conditions and penetrate the auricle if the rules of maintaining cleanliness are not observed.
- Medical way. Infection occurs with surgical treatment and damage to the ear in non-sterile conditions.
What else can trigger a disease
- Immune diseases, including HIV and AIDS.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Lack of vitamins.
- Weakening of the protective functions of the body.
- Diabetes.
- Problems with the endocrine system.
- Non-observance of hygiene rules.
- Bad habits.
- The presence of chronic diseases.
- Dehydration
- Long-term use of vasoconstrictor drops.
- Viral and catarrhal diseases.
- Injuries and damage to the mucous membrane or epidermis.
Symptoms of Staphylococcus aureus in the ear are most often manifested in newborns, young children and the elderly, since during these periods the human body is weakened by immunity.
Diagnostics
During a visit to the otolaryngologist, a visual examination and questioning of the patient is carried out. Then the specialist determines the exact location of the focus of infection and draws up a treatment regimen, individual for each patient. It is important not only to make a diagnosis in a short time, but also to do it for sure, because any error can lead to ineffective treatment and complications. For a more accurate diagnosis, studies such as:
- blood and urine tests;
- detailed immunogram;
- Bakanalysis - crops are taken from the affected areas, heated throughout the day and determine the type of staphylococcus;
- lactating women give milk for examination;
- serological method - if the disease is in chronic form, it is important to determine the amount of antibodies in the blood that must fight bacteria.
Complications
Internal pathologies of the ear, erysipelas, otitis media and other diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus in the ears require timely treatment. The sooner the disease is eliminated, the lower the risk that the bacterium will spread outside the auricle. Otherwise, there is a risk of serious complications, such as:
- Meningitis. There is an infection and inflammation of the brain, the disease is dangerous and can be fatal.
- Sepsis - when bacteria and its waste products enter the blood, there is a risk of blood poisoning. With improper and untimely treatment, it can lead to death of a person.
- Toxic shock syndrome is an acute reaction of the body to the spread of infection.
In addition, the disease can develop into a chronic form, in which case the infection will develop immunity to the drugs used against it.
Treatment methods
How to treat staphylococcus in the ear? Depending on the affected area, therapy may be general or local. With external otitis, local treatment is effective. In this case, ear drops, ointments that contain neomycin, colistin, polixin or corticosteroids are prescribed.
It is not recommended to instill drugs directly into the ear canal; it is best to moisten a cotton or gauze section with the medicine and carefully enter into the ear. Repeat this procedure three to four times a day. If the pain persists, it is recommended to use dry heat, quartz and tablets. Gentamicin ointment is popular, it is necessary to treat the ear canals for a week.
General therapy is performed with otitis media. In this case, a course of antibiotics is prescribed, most often ampicillin. Also, antipyretic drugs and painkillers are included in the therapy, a specialist can recommend warming compresses. In the absence of improvement within two to three days, tympanopuntia or tympanocentesis can be prescribed. This is a puncture of the eardrum, after which the ear canal is freed from exudate, while the fluid is taken to study and determine resistance to various types of antibiotics, after which the treatment is adjusted.
While taking a course of drugs, you can not take a break or stop treatment prematurely, focusing on improving the condition. This can lead to the adaptation of staphylococcus to the action of the drug.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine in the treatment of staphylococcus in the ear is quite effective, but it can only be auxiliary in relation to traditional therapy. Healing plants contain active substances that can relieve pain and inflammation, inhibit pathogenic bacteria, disinfect the affected area of the skin and positively affect immunity.
Here are some tips for using folk remedies:
- St. John's wort A decoction and infusion from this plant is used to rinse the ears, previously purified from sulfur. This remedy relieves inflammation well. It is best to do such a wash before taking the main medicine. St. John's wort is considered an excellent natural antibiotic and is effective when applied topically.
- Dioxidine solution. Four drops of the drug are instilled into the ear, after 10-15 minutes it is dried with a cotton swab. The procedure is repeated twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
- Infusions and decoctions of chamomile, sage, calendula can also be used as an addition to the main therapy. It must be borne in mind that some types of herbs cause allergic reactions. The decoction should be approximately the temperature of the human body,
- It is only necessary to pay attention to the fact that some herbs can cause an allergic reaction in people. A decoction or infusion should be approximately the temperature of the human body. A cold remedy will lead to a narrowing of blood vessels and will not bring the desired effect.
Prevention
In order to avoid disease or prevent relapse of staphylococcus in the ears, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:
- avoid contact with infected people;
- use only your personal hygiene products;
- after walking along the street and visiting public places, be sure to wash your hands;
- timely treat and disinfect the skin in the ears in case of injuries;
- constantly carry out hygiene procedures of the ears;
- wash fruits and vegetables well before eating;
- drink only purified water;
- maintain immunity;
- get rid of bad habits;
- avoid hypothermia.
Conclusion
Treatment for Staphylococcus aureus in the ear should be started as soon as possible. It can not be ignored. A bacterium can cause many dangerous diseases and significantly reduce hearing. It may take a lot of time to fully cure, but an experienced doctor always tries to prescribe the most effective therapy in order to restore health to a person faster.